Prominent French Filmmakers Detained Over Sexual Abuse Allegations

Confidence UbaniJuly 1, 20241 Mins read703

French police have detained renowned filmmakers Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon for questioning on Monday over accusations of historical sexual abuse. Both directors, however, have denied the allegations.

Judith Godrèche, a 52-year-old actor and director, accused Jacquot of rape and Doillon of sexual assault during her childhood.

Godrèche alleged that Jacquot exerted an unhealthy “hold” over her during a relationship that began when she was 14 and lasted from 1986 to 1992. She alleged Doillon abused her on the set of one of his films.

Another actor, Isild Le Besco, 41, has also accused Jacquot of raping her between 1998 and 2007, starting when she was 16 and he was 52.

Additionally, Julia Roy, 34, has filed a complaint against Jacquot for sexual assault in a “context of violence and moral constraint which lasted several years.”

Lawyers for both filmmakers have criticised their detainment, arguing there was no need to hold them for questioning as they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Jacquot’s lawyer, Julia Minkowski, stated that her client would “finally be able to express himself before the law.”

Doillon’s attorney, Marie Dose, flatly emphasised that the alleged incident occurred 36 years ago.

The detainment follows a joint investigation launched in February, prompted by Godrèche’s formal complaint filed earlier this year.

She has become a leading voice in France’s #MeToo movement, advocating for greater oversight in the film industry. Her public reaction on Instagram expressed a mix of emotions, sharing a photo of her teenage self with Jacquot and stating:

I’m crying… From all this… I don’t know if I have the strength but I will have it. I will have it… For her.

This development comes in the background of similar accusations within the French film industry, which has faced criticism for allegedly providing cover for abuse.

In response to increasing pressure, the French parliament voted in May to create a commission to investigate sexual and gender-based violence in the cultural sectors.